Legato

Definition

Legato is a musical term that describes a smooth and connected manner of singing or playing notes, where each note flows seamlessly into the next without any noticeable breaks. This technique creates a lyrical quality, allowing the performer to express emotion and maintain melodic continuity. Legato is essential in vocal warm-ups and exercises as it helps develop breath control, articulation, and phrasing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Legato is achieved through smooth transitions between notes, requiring precise breath management and vocal cord coordination.
2. In vocal exercises, practicing legato helps improve tone quality and clarity, allowing singers to create longer phrases without strain.
3. Legato can be indicated in sheet music by a slur, which connects the notes that should be played smoothly together.
4. Using legato effectively can enhance emotional expression in musical performances, making melodies more engaging for the audience.
5. Different genres of music may have varying expectations for how legato should be executed, influencing the style and delivery of the performance.

Review Questions

• How does practicing legato in vocal exercises contribute to improving overall singing technique?
  • Practicing legato in vocal exercises enhances overall singing technique by fostering better breath control, enabling singers to sustain notes longer without strain. It also encourages smooth transitions between notes, which helps improve tone quality and clarity. By focusing on legato, singers learn to create longer phrases, developing their ability to express emotion and maintain melodic continuity in their performances.
• Compare the effects of legato and staccato on musical phrasing and expression in vocal performances.
  • Legato creates a smooth and connected sound that allows melodies to flow seamlessly, enhancing emotional expression and lyrical quality. In contrast, staccato produces a short and detached sound that adds energy and dynamic contrast to musical phrasing. Both techniques serve different purposes in performance; legato often evokes a sense of calmness or tenderness, while staccato can bring excitement or playfulness to the music. Understanding how to balance these techniques can significantly impact a vocalist's interpretive skills.
• Evaluate how mastering legato can influence a singer's ability to interpret different musical styles and genres.
  • Mastering legato significantly influences a singer's ability to interpret various musical styles by allowing for greater flexibility in emotional expression. Different genres have distinct expectations for phrasing; for example, classical music often emphasizes legato for its lyrical qualities, while jazz may require a mix of both legato and staccato for improvisational effects. By developing strong legato skills, singers can adapt their delivery to suit the stylistic nuances of each genre, ultimately enhancing their versatility and effectiveness as performers.

Related terms

staccato:

A style of playing or singing where each note is sharply separated from the others, creating a short and detached effect.

phrasing: The way in which a musician shapes a sequence of notes in a passage to express musical ideas or emotions, often involving dynamics and articulations like legato.

breath control:

The ability to manage and utilize one's breath effectively during singing or playing, which is crucial for executing techniques such as legato.